SDG 10 POLICY BRIEF: BRIDGING THE GAP IN ROAD SAFETY INEQUALITY
written by IBRAHIM OZTURK, OLIVA NALWADDA, OLUFUNKE AFESOJAYE

From the perspective of SDG10, inequalities in road safety indicate the unequal distribution of risk and negative consequences on the road among different road user groups due to various factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status, or geographic location. In other words, many factors contribute to, or are evidence of, inequalities in transport.

Overall, there is an urgent need for an integrated policy to reduce inequalities concerning safety on roads and transport. Governmental and non-governmental actions for a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable transportation can greatly impact achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. With this policy paper, it is argued that by taking a targeted and data-driven approach to road safety, we can reduce the number of crashes and fatalities among disadvantaged groups and create safer and more equitable streets for all by achieving a positive traffic safety culture.

 

key data on educatIon

 
 

key messages of the polIcy brief

 

Governments should

  • The Government should gather data on road traffic injuries and fatalities to identify the specific causes and factors contributing to inequalities. Future interventions and policies should address these data-driven findings.

  • Governments should communicate and share best practices and ensure that policy-making processes are inclusive and consider the needs and perspectives of all segments of society.

  • Governments should prioritise road safety policy and law enforcement, which will bridge the gap between commitments made by stakeholders and actions taken to reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries, and should scale up evidence-based initiatives such as the School Area Road Safety Assessments and Improvements (SARSAI) and the star rating for schools (SR4S). Such initiatives that support a holistic approach to safer roads for all, including road assessments, environmental modifications, and speed calming measures, can help revert the rising road traffic fatality incident rates among vulnerable populations.

Civil Society Organizations should:

  • Civil society organisations possess significant knowledge and skills that can aid the implementation of evidence-based actions and policies required to reduce road-related injuries and fatalities. Organisations can strengthen follow-up mechanisms that hold Governments accountable for fulfilling international and national treaties. This will help bridge the gap between Government commitments and action towards safer and sustainable transport systems.

  • Organisations should strengthen global and regional road safety coalitions to enhance collaborative advocacy and amplify the impact of road safety interventions. Organisations can play a vital role in advancing road safety as a cross-cutting issue and in advancing the role of road safety in the attainment of the low-hanging fruit targets on climate action, promoting gender equality, fostering education for all, etc.

  • Organisations should increase road safety awareness among vulnerable road users. Educating vulnerable road users on safe road use is beneficial to reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries for pedestrians, children, women, and people with disabilities.

Youth and Youth-led Organizations should: 

  • Youth-led organisations can launch campaigns for better roads and infrastructure and scale up effective interventions that promote the safety of roads for vulnerable road users, including people with disabilities, pedestrians, and cyclists.

  • Youth should initiate peer-to-peer road safety education programmes to boost safer road use among most at-risk groups.

  • Youth need to advocate for meaningful youth engagement in road safety policy formulation and review. There is a need for youth to take a proactive approach to claim their space at global, regional, and national decision-making spaces.

  • Youth should mobilise resources and increase investment in youth-led local actions. Youth-led organisations can support mentorship and training of the current and next generation of youth road safety changemakers.

 

message from our youth leaders

 

2023 Local Actions Winner: MARYFELY RINCÓN
Maryfely is a 24-year-old urban Manager from the Universidad del Rosario (Colombia). She is currently employed as a project coordinator at Despacio where she works as a data analyst, content creator, and content manager. Her project, “Pedestrians First”, aims to address the pressing road safety issues faced by pedestrians, particularly older people, children, and individuals with disabilities, in Bogotá. The project acknowledges the significant number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries in the city, highlighting the urgent need for equal public spaces and improved pedestrian infrastructure. By advocating for these changes, Maryfely and her team strive to enable everyone to walk calmly and comfortably throughout the city.

“The smallest actions add up and are important. Our voices and actions as young people matter, and with them, we can start working from small and simple things like workshops with our community, or spaces for conversation, and reflection on road safety. Working as a team with other interested young people is also valuable in contributing to the construction of safer cities for all.”

 
 

2023 Local Actions Winner: JACOB SMITH
Jacob is a diehard visionary movement builder. He has his own consultancy service in road safety and mobility justice which delivers high-impact community organizing for transforming mobility access in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. He is currently the Executive Director of the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS). His project, centres on harnessing the power of BIPOC communities and utilising their lived experiences, expertise, and creativity to advocate for equitable transportation policies and practices.

“Decades of structural racism and discrimination have deeply impacted the field of road safety and directly connect to SDG 10 on reduced inequalities. Without equitable, accessible, sustainable, and affordable transportation options, communities, especially marginalised ones, suffer socially, economically, and possibly even politically.”

 
 

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